High School Focus: Believing In His Team

Lineman Set For The Challenge

Warwick Center Thinks Mighty Hampton Is Beatable

All those hours in the weight room, all the laps around the track and all the practice sessions have brought him to his senior year and a last chance to make the playoffs.

``It's something I've always wanted and with the group we have this year, it's our best chance to do it,'' Jones said after Wednesday's practice for tonight's key Peninsula District game against nationally ranked Hampton. Both teams are 2-0.

``This game is huge for me because we had Hampton on the ropes in my freshman and sophomore years at Ferguson, but couldn't pull it off. We psyched ourselves out with all the hype about Hampton's this and that.

``What nobody said was, they're beatable.''

Jones added that Warwick's season-opening victory against Phoebus, the school's first against a Hampton school since 1991, has done wonders for his team's confidence.

Warwick coach Tommy Reamon acknowledged Jones' hard work and said the three-year starter at center exemplifies the progress his program has made at both Ferguson and now Warwick.

``Jake has developed to the point where he bench presses 425 pounds and has become a role model for our younger lineman,'' Reamon said. ``He has taken up in the leadership role where Damien Jones (no relation) left off last year.''

Jones rated former all-district selection Damien a more vocal leader than he is. Jones said he leads more by example.

He is playing at about the same 255-pound weight he did last year but said it's distributed better this season. He also feels quicker thanks to the consistent distance running he did in the offseason.

``It's also a plus playing side by side with guards Bradley Brook and DeWayne Leonard for the third straight year,'' Jones said.

He didn't hesitate pinpointing the key to tonight's game.

``It all comes down to the containment of (Hampton quarterback) Ronald Curry,'' Jones said. ``He's a good player, but I believe our quarterback Michael Vick is as good. Winning two state titles has given Curry more recognition.''

Jones' first serious taste of football came in the summer between his seventh- and eighth-grade years. Until that time, he had leaned toward baseball. His size was a determining factor.

``I was getting too big for baseball and some of my friends in middle school suggested I give football a try,'' Jones said. ``It was a good decision. Football has kept me in shape and given me discipline.''

The discipline has expanded into all facets of Jones' life and made him a successful time manager.

In addition to maintaining a 3.85 grade-point average on a 4-point scale, Jones works part time at a fast food restaurant, participates in a Navy ROTC program and is a member of the National Honor Society.

``The ROTC program has helped my academics,'' he said. ``If you don't maintain good grades, you lose your rank.''

Jones is a lieutenant junior grade and a platoon leader.

He has college football aspirations and said the University of Richmond has showed the most interest in him.

``I would really like to go to North Carolina,'' he said. ``We'll see what happens.''

First there's tonight's showdown with Hampton. The Raiders haven't beaten the Crabbers since 1964.